Athlone duo to represent Ireland at major rowing events

Two Athlone rowers have been selected to represent Ireland at prestigious international competitions.

Zach Meegan has been selected to represent Ireland at the Junior World Championships, while Rian Claffey has been named on the squad for the Coupe De La Jeunesse. Both Meegan, who will compete in the JM2X category, and Claffey (JM4X) are members of Athlone Boat Club.

The Junior World Championships will take place in Paris from August 2-6, with the Coupe de la Jeunesse to be held in Amsterdam from July 28-30.

In addition, Athlone Boat Club's Fergus Hannon will be part of the coaching team for the Coupe de la Jeunesse.

Rowing Ireland’s High Performance Director Antonio Maurogiovanni recently announced the Irish squad for these events.

Athlone Boat Club Captain Nick Friel expressed his delight at the selection of Zach and Rian.

"This is an outstanding achievement for both these young men and their families. I would like to thank everyone in the club that has been part of their journey. Their families, their coaches both present and past from every sport they were part of has taken them to this day,” he said.

Nick also paid tribute their current coach Fergus Hannon alongside Alan Kenny and Aisling Flanagan for playing an "instrumental" role in their progress.

"It is once again great to see young talent being nurtured and developed in our club by all our coaching team and rewarded with such recognition. On behalf of our membership, our coaching team, our committee and all in our rowing community, congratulations and best wishes on your journey," Nick added.

2023 Junior World Championships squad

JW1X: Holly Davis (Lee Valley Rowing Club).

JW2X: Ayla O’Neill (Kenmare Rowing Club), Kate Reidy (Lee Rowing Club).

JM2X: Zach Meegan (Athlone Boat Club), Shane Rafferty (St Michael's Rowing Club).

Coaches: Leah O'Regan (Rowing Ireland), Miles Taylor (Methodist College Belfast).

2023 Coupe de la Jeunesse squad

JW1X: Moya Knowles (Skibbereen Rowing Club).

JW4X: Ailise O'Sullivan (Skibbereen Rowing Club), Sophia Monahan (Lee Valley Rowing Club), Anna Brennan (Graiguenamanagh Rowing Club), Aoife Hendy (Skibbereen Rowing Club).

JM2X: Jack Rafferty (St Michael's Rowing Club), Lochlan Crooks (Neptune Rowing Club).

JM4+: Sean O’Neill (Castleconnell Boat Club), James Young (Cork Boat Club), Liam Walter (Castleconnell Boat Club), Andrew O'Leary (Presentation Brothers College Rowing Club), Noah Giltinan (Presentation Brothers College Rowing Club) - cox.

JM4X: Dominic Casey (Skibbereen Rowing Club), Fionn McDonnell (St Michael's Rowing Club), Rian Claffey (Athlone Boat Club), Sean Morris (Tralee Rowing Club).

Coaches: Andy Purdy (Queen's University), Fergus Hannon (Athlone Boat Club), Denise Walsh (Skibbereen Rowing Club).